Israel's security cabinet has expanded its war objectives to include the safe return of evacuated residents to their homes in northern Israel, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) early Tuesday morning.
"Israel will continue to act to achieve this goal," the PMO clarified.
The Knesset Research and Information Center reports that approximately 68,500 people remain evacuated due to attacks by Iran-backed Hezbollah from Lebanon, with towns along the northern frontier suffering significant damage from rocket fire.
The Security Cabinet has updated the objectives of the war to include the following: Returning the residents of the north securely to their homes.Israel will continue to act to implement this objective.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 17, 2024
Both Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have publicly stated their intention to add the return of the evacuees to the official list of war objectives.
Until now, the primary goals of the war have been the destruction of Hamas and the return of remaining hostages from Gaza.
A Last Resort
The decision to include the return of the evacuees as an additional war objective followed Gallant's assertion to US envoy Amos Hochstein that, after failed diplomatic efforts, the only way to ensure the safe return of northern residents is through a military operation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the ongoing cross-border violence between the IDF and Hezbollah in northern Israel "cannot continue" ahead of a meeting with Hochstein on Monday.
Netanyahu stated that "a change in the balance of forces on our northern border is needed," vowing to restore safety to the area so that evacuees can return home securely.
"I am committed to this. The government is committed to this, and we will not settle for less," he affirmed.